Revis On Gresh & Zo: Teaming Up With Brady Means Bad News For Opponents
BOSTON (CBS) -- For six years with the New York Jets, and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Darrelle Revis competed against one of the best coach-quarterback combos whenever he laced them up against the New England Patriots.
Now that he's "part of the family," the All Pro corner couldn't be happier.
"I feel great about being here," Revis told 98.5 The Sports Hub's Gresh & Zolak Thursday afternoon, shortly after the third and final day of New England's mandatory mini-camp wrapped up. "I used to play against the Patriots for six years when I was in New York so I'm very familiar with them. I'm happy to be a part of the family now."
While he did not practice on Wednesday, Revis was back on the field Thursday, once again going up against Brady in drills. Revis loves the competition that comes from lining up across from one of the best quarterbacks to play the game, but he won't miss it when Sundays during the regular season roll around.
"I think that's the biggest thing; competing all the time. Tom is a big-time competitor, from going against him in the past and even here in practice," said Revis. "We clash sometimes and butt heads on the field, but it's great to go against one of the best quarterbacks in the league. I also know come Sundays we'll be wearing the same jersey. It won't be that bad – it'll be bad on the opposing teams."
As for Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, Revis said the coach's approach is what sticks out the most now that he's on this side of the Patriots sideline.
"His detail and insight about every position on the field, he knows everything and is a very smart coach, and brings that out in us too," explained Revis. "The guy is very awesome at what he does. From the outside looking in I looked at it totally different, but being part of the family now I can tip my cap to him and give him respect for everything he's done in the league, because it speaks volumes."
Revis was released by the Buccaneers over the off-season, and said the Patriots were in the top three teams he wanted to play for. As the free agent process began playing out, it was clear New England was the right choice for him.
"New England stuck out to me," he said. "Just the history here, being familiar with them when I was in New York. Everything made sense for me."
"You have to respect them because they go out to win every year," he added "I respect it a lot more than what I did in the past being on an opposing team."
Revis brings 21 career interceptions to New England, and there are visions of a shut-down defensive backfield with him playing alongside fellow free agent signing Brandon Browner. Fans will be reminded of Ty Law when Revis first takes the field in a Patriots' uniform, and not just because he will be wearing Law's #24. Both are Aliquippa High School alumni and have known each other for some time, so Revis picked up quite a bit from the future Hall-of-Famer along the way.
"I play very physical and I always have. Ty was great at doing that too – I learned from Ty, being from the same home town," he said. "I'm just going to play my game; I'm a physical corner and I'm going to go out and do my job. Whoever the coaches tell me to cover or wherever they tell me to be, that's what I'm going to do."
Darrelle Revis On Gresh & Zo
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